Canada's Victoria Cross - Never Been Awarded - Jesse Larochelle Should Be The First

 

The Victoria Cross is the highest award anyone serving in the militaries of the Commonwealth can get.  Many Countries in the commonwealth have members of the military who have earned this award for valor, the bulk of them as British Subjects, this includes Canada.  The last time the VC was awarded dates back to 1945.  Canada has adopted it's own version of the VC and that has not been given out unlike say Australia, which does have it's on VC and has awarded it. 

However there is a movement in Canada to change this.  The push is for a gentleman by the name of Jess Larochelle, a former soldier who served in Afghanistan with the 1st Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment.  While in Afghanistan he defended and held a position that nearly got overrun by the Taliban, mostly while wounded himself and he did so alone.  The position he defended usually would have a team of 4 operating the C6 weapons along with another crew that would fire M72 LAW Rockets.  Mr. Larochelle did this with a broken neck.  For his valor he did receive the SMV (Star of Military Valor)   

Canada is not big on issuing medals to it's military members and with good reason.  The awarding of medals is symbolic, it states that the person did something unique and worthy of note.  If you see a Canadian Military member wearing a rack of medals it means they have done some really extraordinary things in they're career, or have served with distinction especially in an operational capacity.  In most cases you won't see Canadian Military members wearing any medals except those for long service and good conduct.

I would love to see this post go viral and push forward the message that the VC is duly awarded to this very brave and well deserving veteran.  

Resources:

As It Happens interview about the push to get the Victoria Cross Awarded to Pvt Jess Larochelle (ret)

Canadian Legion article about the Victoria Cross.

Petition to have Jess Larochelle awarded the VC.

Christmas Events in Hamilton Ontario - To Do Canada Site

 

Hard to believe but, 2021 is nearing it's end and one sign of that is the approach of Christmas.  Hamiltonians this post is for you, but anyone from anywhere is welcome to jump in and enjoy the festivities.  To do Canada has listing of events and interesting sites to visit on it.  These include Christmas displays, parades, concerts ad other events.  

When I was living in Edmonton AB I visited a street full of homes decorated for the season and even walked around one home, on the outside of course, to view the displays.  There are many people who really do it up big along with organizations and even whole towns and cities get right into the holiday period.  

Christmas is coming and I hope you all have a good one regardless of the situation you are in.  Now here is the link to the events.

Christmas Events in Hamilton – Lights, Carols & Theatre

Merry Christmas!!

Shameless Overt Plug - My Other Blogs - Episode 1 The Intro

 

Mixed Nuts is just one of 3 blogs I write.  Yes this is a shameless overt plug for my blogs Candid Conversations and My Point Your Point.  

I have been blogging since 2009 the first of my creations was and still is Candid Conversations.  This blog features interviews from around the world with some really interesting people.  All the interviews are done via email and none have been deleted so there is a good amount of reading one can do.  Note some links in the older posts are no longer live.  And, some posts have information that may be irrelevant. But, it's still a good read in my opinion.  I recently created a Patreon Account and am looking for Patreons to support the blog.  The eventual goal is to fully monetize Candid Conversations.  One route is to get support from people like you.  So please swing by and visit https://www.patreon.com/candidcconversations and show some love.

The latest interview on the blog features Daniel Whiteson co podcaster and science guy, he and his, pal Banana loving Jorge Cham produce a podcast, Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe. An iHeart produced podcast that features chats about the science that goes into trying to understand the universe.

My other blog is called My Point Your Point.  Originally planned as a debate blog it has morphed into a blog that is series of opinions I have on various topics.  The debate part sort of went flat.  For now that is the way it stay the name may change unless I can find the right formula that will attract good debate on the subjects.  

So there you have a shameless overt plug.  I will put more updates up here about the other blogs along with other content.  And, in case your wondering I am planning to post at least once per day on Mixed Nuts.  Please come back and see what I have uploaded here on this blog, and do check out my other two.  Thanks and see you down the pages.

Cliff T.

100 Years And Still Going Strong - The Poppy

Today is November 12, remembrance day was yesterday but, the work of the Canadian Legion still goes on.  They support veterans past and present and the community at large via various programs.  One way of raising funds is by selling the symbol of remembrance, poppies.  Adopted as the flower of remembrance the poppy symbolizes the sacrifice of those who served in the wars Canada participated in.

This year the legion is marking the 100th anniversary of the poppy and offering anyone interested in getting it an online portal to buy online.

Here is the main link for the Canadian Legion itself https://www.legion.ca/home 

The use of the poppy is inspired by John MCcRae and his poem In Flanders Fields.  For veterans everyday is remembrance day, thank you for your service past and present ladies and gentlemen.

Cliff. T.

Chess Boxing - Yes It Is A Thing

Chess boxing, that is chess and boxing combined, what? Yes you are reading this correctly.  There is actually a sport called Chess Boxing and it does combine the two sports.  

Here is how it works; you have a table with a chess board and a standard amateur boxing ring.  Now toss in two competitors who box and play a round of speed chess.  The goal is to get a check mate or technical knock out.  The sport, wait for it, has been  around for 50 years, 50!  That is just bonkers.  

You can read up  on this sport via Wikipedia.